ACC: Landing gear failure caused F-16 crash in South Korea

Nov. 5, 2013 - 06:00AM
|

An F-16 from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., taxis on the flight line at Osan Air Base, South Korea, in June. An F-16 skidded off the runway July 16 at Osan. The pilot suffered a minor back injury and the $33.5 million plane was destroyed. (Air Force)

A landing gear failure caused an F-16C to skid off the runway July 16 at Osan Air Base, South Korea, destroying the jet and causing minor injuries to the pilot, Air Combat Command announced today.

The pilot, who was assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., was able to exit the aircraft. The jetís landing gear collapsed immediately after touching down for landing after a routine training flight.

According to an Air Force Accident Investigation report, the toggle-and-link assembly in the right, main landing gear came unlocked, causing it to collapse as the plane settled during landing. The aircraft skidded to the right on its nose landing gear and right wing, until it departed the runway. Two seconds later, the aircraft flipped and rolled.

The AIB found that the installation of an incorrect pivot pin in the landing gear, along with natural vibrations of the gear, contributed to the mishap.

The aircraft was destroyed at a loss of approximately $33.5 million. The pilot was treated for a minor back injury, according to ACC.